Following the National Lockdown announced yesterday by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor announced new one-off top up business support grants for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors worth up to £9,000. Additionally discretionary funds are also available for other businesses impacted by the lockdown.
Wayne Thomas, partner at Bates Weston summarises the announcements:
National Lockdown
The Prime Minister announced a National Lockdown with immediate effect last night (4 January 2021) as the Covid threat level was raised from level four to level five. This level indicates that if action is not taken, NHS capacity may be overwhelmed within 21 days. The Prime Minister indicated that the National Lockdown would last until at least the middle of February.
In effect we are returning to the “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives” message and guidance relating to Tiers 1 ,2 3 and 4 has been withdrawn as of 4 January and replaced with National Lockdown: Stay at Home Guidance.
Businesses and venues that are required to close are:
- Non- essential retail
- Hospitality venues
- Accommodation
- Leisure and sports facilities
- Entertainment venues
- Animal attractions
- Indoor attractions
- Personal care facilities
- Community centres
The full list of exemptions can be found in the government guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England.
As accountants, we are permitted to remain open and will continue to support our clients as we have throughout the past year. We have the infrastructure to deliver our services remotely and in a Covid secure manner, so if you need us, please do get in touch.
New Lockdown Grants announced
This morning, the Chancellor announced that retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses are to receive a one-off top up grant worth up to £9,000 per property to help them through to the Spring.
The grants made to eligible closed businesses are as follows:
- £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
- £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
- £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000
A further £594milliion discretionary fund was also announced to support other impacted businesses, not eligible for the new one-off grants. Businesses are expected to apply through their Local Authorities.
These grants are in addition to the previously announced Local Authority Discretionary Grant funds, Local Restriction Support Grants and the extension to the furlough scheme (CJRS).
We will provide more information on the new one-off top up grant as we receive it, in the meantime, if you need our help, please do get in touch.